Telling New Zealand "stories" is not enough, because New Zealanders also need to listen to and learn from other people's stories.
Library must be a collector
Congratulations to Michael Tweed for a succinct presentation of the views of those who want the National Library to honour its commitments as a library, a term that comes from the Latin word for book (March 17).
The National Library Act of 2003
gives its responsibilities, which Rachel Esson ignores, "to enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand and its interchanges with other nations".
To do that, it must collect and preserve documents, "particularly those relating to New Zealand", but it must also supplement and further the work of other New Zealand libraries, and work collaboratively "with other institutions having similar purposes, including those forming part of the international library community".
Contrary to Esson's denial, this means it is the "library of last resort" for New Zealand, but it must also be an outward looking institution that helps New Zealanders learn about the history, politics, cultures and beliefs of other nations.
